ercookies | TDM 009: I'M IN LIKE WITH YOU

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TDM 009: I'M IN LIKE WITH YOU

00. Arrival

This time, you come out of the water, the Nameless Island's own inherent energy drawing people in. It's like being suspended between realities and abruptly pushed from behind through a rift in dimensions. It may make you sick, or that might be the motion of the ocean, lifting you to the surface and carrying you to shore.

Waterlogged and covered in sand, new arrivals will be greeted by robots who welcome them with towels and bracelet devices. The A5 card is already loaded up. Feel free to explore the Island, though there isn’t much to see. Most of the buildings are abandoned and in dire need of repair, and beyond the city lingers a thick fog that obscures much of the wilderness from view. Wander too far into this fog, and you will find yourself mysteriously looping back to where you began, your memories of what you were doing and how you got there erased.

With that in mind, it may be wise to stake your claim on a rundown apartment, a tent on the beach, or a bed in the “comfortable” new barracks. Your inventory will be found a day later, wrapped up haphazardly and delivered to each person's makeshift home.

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I. STARGAZER

On the first night that new arrivals wash ashore, the moon rises. It's full and beautiful and surrounded by stars.

The robots quickly bring old, dusty telescopes out of storage and line them up on the beach to help people get a truly spectacular view.

"Look to the heavens! Behold, the chicken, the cat, the owl, the donkey!"

It's... the cock, the pussy, the hooters, and the ass. For the rest of the night, characters will become fixated on the specific asset associated with the constellation they've gotten an eyeful of.

Whether this leads to some body worship or just casual appreciation is up to you.

You can learn about the stars and constellations later this month in some of the rare, non-pornographic books in the library. (More info will go up soon, so please be patient!)

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II. STIMULATING CONVERSATION

An ancient courting ritual has been announced! It involves the give-and-take of candy hearts with slogans printed on them. Of course, since these hearts are being manufactured by robots, their sense of taste is a little... off? Or perhaps off-putting?

"You'll do."
"5/10."
"Acceptable."
"Sloppy Seconds."

Receiving a negative heart makes one feel insecure, jealous, and submissive.

"Be mine."
"Nicest ass."
"Swell bulge."
"They're good lays, Bront."

Receiving a positive heart will make one feel confident, boastful, and dominant.

Your friendly neighborhood 'bots will give them out to anyone who asks - and maybe even those who don't.
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III. Eat Or Dare

The robots have set up a stall by the beach with a banner that reads: Eat Or Dare. They have procured bigger candy hearts than ever before -- fist-sized and larger -- with actions written on them instead of derogatory slogans.

"Take a dive."
"Lick me."
"Get handsy."

The name of the game is to follow the instructions or forfeit the challenge by making the evidence disappear into your mouth. Delicious!

Those who eat the candy hearts will feel themselves getting giddy and unreasonably invested in the love affairs of others. They will feel compelled to play matchmaker to spread the cheer.

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N A V I G A T I O N

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[What is this nonsense? He feeds you and then you turn around and bully him in his own home, pretty boy?

Inosuke doesn't remain much of a threat, at least not while his appetite demands he keep shoveling down that curry like it's going out of style. While he's busy eating, Akira gets to work cutting up some apples and tossing them into a buttered pan.]

"Several people" is kind of vague. [IT'S EXCEEDINGLY VAGUE.] Got any names?

Mm. I've got names!!

_{[ here it comes... ]}

Chiritsu, Nezuko, Kentarou. They are my travel companions. Also, Half-Half Haori.

[Hmm. Right on cue is the disappointment.]

Never heard of them.

[...no, that isn't quite right. Akira does recognize one of those names, that being Nezuko, Tanjiro's beloved baby sister. He knows Tanjiro well enough to understand how near and dear to his heart she is.

As the apples slowly turn golden in the pan, he glances over his shoulder at Inosuke.]

Who's Nezuko? Your girlfriend?

[Going about this the worst possible way is necessary, trust him.]

H'oh..!? Girlfriend? She is a girl... and she is a friend! She is not a girlfriend as Chiritsu would put it!! I AM NOT INTERESTED IN THAT KIND OF THING... BIRTH HOLES AND MATING.. AND MARRYING. Especially not with her!!

Though, I would kill anyone who hurt her!!

She is a demon.. but she is a good demon. She fights with us. We are gonna heal her!!

[...so earnest, this boarish cryptid man. Akira can't help but smile. There's been a slight change in plans, by the way. Akira tosses the apples in cinnamon and plates them, topping them with whipped cream and sliding it over to Inosuke. Viola, impromptu dessert.]

So you're Tanjiro's friend.

[He's spoken about you at length, Inosuke... but all the juicy details regarding your self-lubricating ass were ever so thoughtfully not mentioned.]

Here. I went easy on the cinnamon. Lemme know what you think.

_{[ A sudden dessert that he has never had before. Inosuke's eyes grow wide at the treat, leaning forward before cooing softly. ]}

Uwuhhh.. it feels so good.

_{[ Yes, he's sensing that dessert. And it feels good. He'll dig right in but pause when Tanjiro's name is mentioned. ]}

Wha-- you know Gonpachiro..!? With his solid acorn head..!?

_{[ A low, bellowy noise. ]}

Mmmm. It doesn't surprise me that he is here. Where does he live? I could find himself but.. just wonderin'.

[It... feels good? Look, Inosuke. This dessert is not for rubbing your face in. Thankfully, he eats it with his mouth and not the entirety of his face. Good feral boy. Very good feral boy.]

The solid head rings a bell. [Tanjiro's rock hard skull is impressive and terrifying at the same time. Did Inosuke see the dent in Akira's door before he worsened it? As for where he lives...] I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

[would he tho..... would he really]

Hehhhhhh.

_{[ A breathy sound comes from the other teen, a rather wolfish grin forming on his face. Don't.. ever threaten Inosuke. He loves it.
Suddenly, he slams both of his hands on the table and stands up from his seat. ]}

STUPID CURRY MAGGOT. I COULD SNAP YOUR SPINE IN TWO. DO YOU WANT TO TRY ME?? It's good fun, good fun!! Keheheh!! I'm gonna fight everyone here and be the strongest, so I should start with a weakling!!

[Oh boy, oh no, is boar boy a masochist? That's terrible. Now there are vaguely palm-shaped dents in his table, thanks a fucking lot, now he'll have to trade a square for a table that hasn't been Inosuke'd? You're a menace, man.

Akira's just going to, you know, not pour more oil on the tire fire. He'd rather not engage this creature in full on shonen combat if he can avoid it. He does not, in fact, want to try Inosuke. Imagine that.]

Speaking of curry, [IS HE ALLOWED TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT HERE? NO? HE'S DOING IT ANYWAY,] how'd you like the food? Want some coffee to wash it down?

[Please don't gore him...]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT COFFEE IS, BUT GIVE IT TO ME.

_{[ wait.. ]}

Don't distract me!! I ain't finished with ya, I wanna kick your puny ass!!
After cof-fee!!

What's the magic word?

[The answer is not AAAAAAAAAAA or any variation of it, for the record. Akira steps over to the French press that was thoughtfully gifted to him by Tanjiro and begins to prepare some coffee for his... guest? Pest??]

You'll want to kiss it after you taste this. [Such confidence, such an unhealthy lack of fear in the face of death. Akira's simply willing to put his coffee beans where his mouth is, you know? Any master of his trade ought to be.] What's your preference? Bitter or sweet?

MY PREFERENCE IS GOOD. I WANT GOOD!!

_{[ An idle hissing noise slowly spills out of him. Like a tea kettle. ]}

There will be no ass kissing!!! I'm not interested in that!!

[All coffee is good coffee so long as it's been lovingly prepared? This feels like a test. This feels like a date wherein a woman responds to what would you like to eat with anything's fine and then expresses displeasure when the restaurant chosen is not to her liking. If he doesn't pick the right coffee, how will he ever convince this man to kiss his ass in thanks...?

Well, it's no problem. He'll err on the side of caution and go with a very middle of the road blend and add in some cream and sugar for good measure. Rather than one of his few scarce, fragile ceramic cups, Akira pours it into a sturdier mug and offers it to Inosuke.]

Coffee now, kisses later. Careful, it's hot.

_{[ Inosuke observes as Akira makes the coffee, feeling all tingly at something warm and comforting being made. It feels like a soft hug to him and he shudders and coos, but stills once Akira offers him the drink. ]}

I know it's hot, dumbass, I can feel it.

_{[ Inosuke holds the cup and watches the steam rise from it, for once, falling completely silent, taking in the feeling the coffee has to offer. ]}

Uwh..

_{[ Then, suddenly, he takes a deep, deep breath and blows hard, sloshing some of the coffee out of the mug in the process. ]}

[That's the second time he's caught Inosuke being cute now. How does he keep him that way? Is there a hidden trigger in those MC Hammer pants that needs flipping in order to keep the cute on?

At any rate, at least the coffee's enough to lull him out of that latent homicidal rage, but just– sir? That is not how you cool your coffee? Akira shakes his head, stepping over to boar-chan's side and setting his hand on his shoulder, the other overlapping Inosuke's and bringing it close to his mouth.]

I put love and care into this coffee. You've got to return the favor and treat it well.

[Observe how the modern man blows on his coffee, Inosuke. See? All it takes is an ounce of restraint.]

There. Now give it a try.

_{[ His posture stiffens when he feels Akira get too close, but he allows it, observing Akira as he treats the coffee well. He gets it, bu then growls. He gives a threat, but his voice isn't nearly as loud right now. ]}

Don't tell me how to do things. I'll kill you.

_{[ But then mimics what Akira showed him perfectly. ]}

[Ah, will he though? That's nice and all, sweatie, but drink your coffee and calm down. Once Inosuke's gotten the idea, Akira withdraws to wet a terrycloth and clean the table where the coffee's threatening to stain the wood. Not that his table hasn't already been ruined, but...]

If my coffee doesn't meet your expectations, feel free to kill me. I'll allow it.

[But he's reasonably confident Inosuke will like it... That, or Akira's willing to make a risky gamble. Perhaps it's both!!]

I wanna kill ya anyway.

_{[ A much more empty threat as he nurses his coffee as an almost-civilized young man. The constant humming is a clear indicator he does like it, but he would never praise Akira for that.. or really anything at all. Unless he slashed a demon clean like butter. Much like Half and Half Haori did.

Anyway, if Akira bothers to notice, his feet bounce idly from underneath the table. ]}

[Threaten him so softly and you'll make death sound like a good time, Inosuke. Akira keeps his chuckling to a minimum as he slides into the seat beside him, chin propped on a hand.]

I'm glad you like it.

[He noticed. He also notices the bouncing leggies beneath the table, but to avoid any unnecessary fussing, Akira draws no attention to them.]

Out of curiosity, how long have you been here? I've never seen you around the island before.

I just got here. Today. I hate it here. It's stupid. I want to stop endin' up in places. I just want go home and be the best I can be.

_{[ He turns his gaze away, the coffee now down to about halfway gone and sets it down on the table. ]}

Hamtarou is here you said, so. Mm. That's good, at least. I don't want my minions gettin' lost.

[Hamtarou... That's a name that sounds vaguely familiar, but surely Inosuke isn't referring to a talking cartoon hamster. Surely. If he keeps company with Tanjiro, his crew/loyal band of minions can't be that bizarre, can it?

Hmm. At any rate, maybe he can offer Inosuke some solace.]

Last I checked, your minion is doing just fine. You aren't stuck here alone. That has to count for something.

[Having friends here certainly makes this place a lot less lonely, among other things.]

Feel free to stay the night here. No offense, but you look like you need a bath and a long nap.

_{[ Tell him about it. He was alone most of his life until he met Tanjiro and company. The coffee returns to his rosy lips— it's truly unfair how delicate his mouth looked, especially for being so loud. Inosuke nods, pleased that Tanjiro is okay and, honestly, that he is here with Inosuke in this realm.

At mention of a bath, he scoffs. Contrary to what it may seem, Inosuke actually did enjoy baths, but he doesn't like being told he needs one. ]}

Don't boss me around, loser. I'm stronger than you. You don't have the right.

_{[ He finishse off the coffee and slides out of the chair to investigate the area.. and look for something to bathe in. ]}

[Them's kissing lips, truly. Shame about all the screaming and yelling, but there's a silver lining– Inosuke's voice does hold plenty of appeal when he isn't bellowing.

Picking Inosuke's emptied plates up off the table, Akira steps into the kitchen and begins washing them.]

Right. My bad. [Hehe.] The bathroom's down the hall. You can borrow my clothes while I'm washing yours, but...

[Although, ah. Aside from the turtle neck and jeans he's currently wearing, all Akira has to offer Inosuke is his school uniform, and... well. That's not going to fit someone so muscular, is it? No, probably not. On second thought, he pulls something frilly and offensively pink from depths of the pantry and tosses it to Inosuke.]

Here. This was a gift from the robots. All yours.

[Please, just take it off his hands. It's not even his color...]

_{[ It's unfortunate that, although Inosuke is mostly uncivilized, his time in Prismatica did assist in him distinguishing some things in regards to gender expression. Also, Nezuko wore this shade of pink.

He glowers, lips peeling back to reveal his teeth. Akira has really done it now. His voice is deep and growling when he finally speaks, bright green eyes flickering from the item in his hands and to Akira. Granted, he didn't know what kind of article of clothing this was, but: ]}

...It's because of my girly face, huh?

_{[ He makes a shrill sound and throws the apron to the ground, stomping it with his foot. ]}

I'LL SHOW YOU.

_{[ His feet kick up behind him, preparing to charge into the other teen, much like.. well.. a wild boar. ]}

[Ah. He'll take all the glowering and fussing and stomping as a sign that maybe Inosuke didn't like his offering after all. That's a bit unfortunate.

Akira has a mere fraction of a second to toss himself outside of Inosuke's immediate trajectory and, uh, try to resolve this peacefully?! Ducking behind the couch, Akira pops up slowly with his arms raised. It wasn't him, officer. It was the guy who looks suspiciously like him, he swears.]

You have a nice face! [Why is the shouting infectious?!] I don't want you sitting around naked, that's all. Please calm down.

00. Arrival

I. STARGAZER

II. STIMULATING CONVERSATION

III. Eat Or Dare

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